Peach tree named ‘P.F. 9A-007’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach,  Prunus persica,  tree having the following unique combination of desirable features.
         1. The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of spreading growth and a regular and productive bearer of large peaches having an average diameter of about 2¾″.   2. Producing a very firm fruit having a resilient flesh texture.   3. Blossoms are partially non-showy when in full blooom.   4. A substantially spherical fruit with skin of dark red color overlying dark yellow at maturity.   5. An early season maturing fruit of good taste.   6. An early season maturing fruit of good storage and shelf life.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Varietal denomination: ‘P.F. 9A-007’.

ORIGIN OF VARIETY

The new peach tree {hereinafter referred to as the ‘P.F. 9A-007’} wasOriginated by Paul Friday in the experiment orchard, which is maintainedfor the purposes of breeding peach trees, in Coloma, Mich., in USDAHardiness Zone 6a. Coloma is located in the southwest section ofMichigan.

In an ongoing mass selection breeding program, superior seedlings ofunrecorded parentage are maintained as seed sources for the productionof seeds which are collected and planted in mass. The seed producingparent trees are maintained solely as proprietary trees for breedingpurposes and have not been released from the experimental orchard, wheresuch trees can be evaluated for there adaptability to local and regionalgrowing conditions. Seeds resulting from open pollination of the treesin the experimental orchard are regularly planted in mass to produce newpopulations of seedlings, which are cultured and monitored to maturity.Trees with superior attributes are retained for further observation andtesting, and contribute seeds to advancing generations of newpopulations of seedlings.

The tree of this application, ‘P.F. 9A-007’, was a single plant from onesuch a seedling population, and was based on the numerous superiorgenetic attributes of this tree which are described in the botanicaldescription to follow. While not comprehensive, the details of thebotanical description to follow are believed to be a reasonably completebotanical description of the tree of this disclosure.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree was asexually propagated bybudding as performed in the experimental orchard located in Coloma,Mich. The asexual propagation demonstrates that such reproduction of thecharacteristics of the tree are consistent and are established andtransmitted through succeeding propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and very distinct variety of peach tree is of moderate spreadinggrowth and a regular and productive bearer of peaches. A distinctcharacteristic of the ‘P.F.9A-007’ peach tree is its short internodes,another notable characteristic is it's limb growth pattern producingmany natural right angle crotches. The blossoms are characterized bybeing contracted or partially spread when in full bloom. At the sametime petals of the blossoms are of lesser length than the length ofpetals of normal showy blossom as exemplified by the‘Loring’(non-patented) peach blossom.

The blossoms of the present peach tree at full bloom may becharacterized as being partially non-showy.

Leaf glands are usually not present.

The fruit at maturity is large, having flesh of clear yellow with redaround the pit and very slight red color into the flesh.

The skin is smooth having moderate down and is of dark red coloroverlying dark yellow. At maturity the peach is spherical having anaverage diameter ranging between about 2½″ to 3″.

The fruit has a firm flesh and may be described as resilient to theextent that the flesh is yieldable and restorable to its original statewhen subjected to impact forces, which may cause permanent deformitiesin peaches of commercial varieties. The firmness of the fruitfacilitates handling and packaging of the peaches without damaging thesame for shipment. This results in less spoilage and also increases theshelf life.

The fruit matures in the early part of the peach growing season insouthwestern Michigan. The fruit as mentioned heretofore is of dark redcolor overlying dark yellow and has a very attractive appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

In the accompanying drawing,

The top photograph depicts the terminal portion of the typical branch ofthis tree taken about the time of fruit maturity, showing the size ofthe leaves, the internode length, and the characteristics of the bark ofthe current season's growth. A tape measure is included showing thelength of a leaf.

The bottom photograph shows five (5) whole fruit with one bisectedacross the axis showing the extent of the red coloration of flesh fromthe pit well. A tape measure is included to show the good size of thisfruit.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIETY

The detailed botanical description of the foliage and fruit of the newvariety of peach tree, as grown on its own roots, is based uponobservations of the specimens grown in typical outdoor conditions atColoma, Mich., USDA Zone 6a with the color terminology, other than theterminology expressed in common terms, in accordance with the PantoneMatching System {PMS} as used internationally to identify printedcolors.

-   Botanical classification: Prunus persica cultivar ‘P.F.9A-007’.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Twelve (12) years.        -   Height.—Unpruned 13′.        -   Width.—Unpruned 13′.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Density.—Medium.        -   Form.—Upright to spreading.        -   Production.—Good, about ⅔ of the fruit must be thinned off            the tree annually; after this the tree produces about 1½            bushels of fruit per year per tree.        -   Bearer.—Regular.        -   Disease resistance to bacterial leaf and fruit spot.—Very            resistant.-   Trunk:    -   -   Bark.—Dark gray (418).        -   Size.—Medium to large.        -   Surface.—Rough.        -   Diameter.—7⅜″ diameter — 20″ above ground at 12 years of            age.        -   Lenticels color.—Pronounced.        -   Lenticels size.—462.        -   Lenticels.—¼″ to {fraction (15/16)}″.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large 3{fraction (9/16)}″ to 4⅜″ diameter            12″ from trunk.        -   Surface.—Rough.        -   Lenticels per square inch.—Seven (7).        -   Lenticels color.—407.        -   Lenticels size.—⅛″ to ⅜″.        -   Crotch angles.—Natural right angles.        -   Branch color.—Gray (417).        -   Internode length.—¾″.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Average length 7″ average with 1⅝″.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Ape.—Pointed.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Petiole length.—½″.        -   Gland.—When observed, 1 to 2 on each side of the petiole,            glands seldom found.        -   Gland shape.—When observed, slightly elongated, very            shallow.        -   Gland color.—When observed, reddish brown.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface green (364) — lower surface green            (378).-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—{fraction (7/16)}″ long — ¼″ wide.        -   Bud shape.—Ovid.        -   Bud color.—223.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Apr. 25, 2003 to Apr. 30, 2003.        -   Bloom size.—⅞″ diameter.        -   Size of petals.—⅜″ long — ¼″ wide.        -   Shape of petals.—Cupped.        -   Petal color.—250.        -   Sepal size.—{fraction (3/16)}″ long — {fraction (3/16)}″            wide.        -   Sepal shape.—Cupped.        -   Sepal color.—417.        -   Number of anthers.—32.        -   Anther color.—125.        -   Number of stamens.—32.        -   Stamen length.—¼″.        -   Stamen color.—417.        -   Pistil length.—{fraction (5/16)}″.        -   Pistil color.—388.        -   Pollen.—Present.        -   Number of petals.—Five (5).        -   Flower color.—250.        -   Number flowers per cluster.—2.        -   Fragrance.—Pleasant.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 22, 2003.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 7, 2003.        -   Size.—Average 2¾″.        -   Form.—Ovid.        -   Suture.—Not pronounced.        -   Weight.—6.9 oz.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Medium.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Down.—Light.        -   Color.—About 90% red (187) over dark yellow (143).-   Flesh:    -   -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Ripens.—Even.        -   Flavor.—Very good.        -   Aroma.—Pleasant, mild.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.        -   Color.—Deep yellow (136).        -   Pit cavity color.—Red (179).-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Freestone.        -   Size.—1{fraction (9/16)}″ long — 1-⅛″ wide — ¾″ thick.        -   Form.—Ovid.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Pointed.        -   Sides.—Nearly equal.        -   Surface.—Furrowed.        -   Color.—Reddish brown (478).        -   Tendency to crack.—5%.        -   Kernel.—¾″long — {fraction (7/16)}″wide — {fraction            (1/16)}″thick.-   Use: Dessert.-   Shipping quality: Very good.-   Keeping quality: Very good.

The tree and its fruit herein described may vary slight as a result ofdifferences in Understood that the description of the new variety as setforth herein is that of the tree Grown under the ecological conditionsprevailing at Coloma, Mich.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as herein illustrated anddescribed.